The Homecoming
Quark passes a Bajoran earring on to Major Kira Nerys. She identifies it as belonging to Li Nalas, a leader of the Bajoran resistance who was reported killed in action and hasn’t been seen in years. The earing came from Cardassia IV, according to the person who gave it to Quark. Kira asks Commander Sisko for a runabout so that she can go to Cardassia IV and rescue Li Nalas.
Sisko consults with Dax about Kira’s request. He decides to let Kira take a runabout but he insists that Chief O’Brien go with her. Nerys and O’Brien make it to Cadassia IV and rescue Li Nalas and several other Bajoran prisoners. Gul Dukat contacts Commander Sisko and apologizes for the incident and agree to return a few more prisoners who were unable to make it on to the runabout.
Bajorans aboard DS9 welcome back Li Nalas. Minister Jaro Essa of the provisional Bakoran government visits the space station to welcome Nalas back. The former resistance leader isn’t so sure about what might be expected of him. Quark is assaulted and branded by masked men from an extremist Bajoran organization known as the Circle. Doctor Bashir removes the brand.
Li Nalas attempts to stowaway on a freighter headed for the Gamma Quadrant. He is caught and brought to Sisko who explains to him how much Bajor needs him. Nalas tells Sisko the truth about how he became a legend. The story doesn't change anything in Sisko's mind and he still encourages Nalas to return to Bajor. Nalas reluctantly agrees.
Days later Nalas returns. He has been appointed as the new Bajoran liaison aboard Deep Space Nine and Major Nerys has been recalled to Bajor.
Thoughts
This episode ends with the words, To Be Continued... This is part one of a three-part story. It is the only three-part story for Deep Space 9.
The part of Li Nalas was played by Richard Beymer. I know him best from Twin Peaks where he played the part of Benjamin Horne. He was also in West Side Story (1961) and an episode of Moonlighting that I watched a few months ago: 3.05 All Creatures Great.. and Not So Great.
The part of Jaro Essa was played by Frank Langella. I know him best from Robot & Frank (2012), Dave (1993), and Masters of the Universe (1987).
Why did the Cardassians apologize so quickly? Is there more to Li Nalas than meets the eye? Was he working for the Cardassians all along? Did the Cardassians want him rescued so that he could be their man on the inside? Is he the real Li Nalas? I wonder.
Bajor is still in turmoil due to internal fighting. Major Kira hopes that Nalas can unite the various factions and set things right. I don't think Nalas wants that job and I don't see how he can possibly do that from Deep Space Nine.
This is a good start to the second season. It isn't perfect. Some things happen a little too quickly for my taste, such as the rescue from Cardassia IV. They do fit a lot of story into this one episode. I am eager to see where things go from here.
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